Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1887-06-24
"Wait here moment he said,

seemed young dgdlu' no Icnou
bered her once more as the sweet
faced girl, and the heart which had
been slumbering so long seemed to
spring into new life. He sat down
on the stars to compose himself,
and then started again for the
kitchen.
"William," said Steele, when he
entered, "here is the key to my Of
fee. wish you would 60 there
and bring me a packet you will
find on my desk"
William fell in the trap without
suspicion, and was of.
Steele seated himself in a dark
corner and looked at the wOman.-
He could see his old love in every
feature of the face. He was strange
" excited and knew not what to
say.
"You say you lived here once ~
he began.
Eyes, when l was a girl,7 she
said.
sand bad fortune has overtaken
You since. Perhaps you knew my
cousin, then, John Steelei'
"Yes,' she said, ~ knew him.
Is he not here nOwi'
"No, poor fellow" said Steele,
feeling guilty as he spoke the words,
she is dead"
"Dead " and she leaned her head
on her hand and wept.
"Yes," said Steele, feeling like a
murderer as he spoke, "but none
who knew him were sorry for it,
He had no good in him, and lived
a selfish life
"Poor man - said the sweet,
sympathizing tones. "At heart he
was good"
Something seemed to move Steele.
He got up and stood by her chair
His hand, by accident, touched her.
1t sent a thrill through him that
seemed 70 make new being of him.
"Katie,' be said, "don't you know
me-"
She looked up, started, stood
erect and got good look into his
face.
"John ~ she said, in a scared
way, and hid her face in her hands.
"Yes, Katie be said, "it is John.
/ was thinking of you to-day, and
it seems as though heaven has sent
you"
"This is such a shock to me-" and
she sat down again.
Steele's heart was throbbing wild.
~, and he quivered with excitement.
~ am old, now Katie, and per-
haps awkward in my speech, but
II can't help what 1 am saying.
You have no home, l am rich, and
you are the only woman l ever
loved. You are welcome to all l
have. Ny life has been very lone
ly. With you would be happy.
You can't love me, know, after all
this time, but | do not ask that"
She arose as if to go. Poor
Steele's heart seemed to be burst
ing. He unconsciously put forth
his arms and touched her. With a
sob she fell into them and rested
her head on his shoulder.
"Kate p he cried in JOY.
"Oh, John, how can | speak Z"
"Say something, Katie"
81 feel so guilty. [ thought you
would never forgive me. But-but
but | have
"But what, Katie 2"
"Oh, John, you know L loved
you then, and it was not my fault.
l have loved you all these long
years. am so happy, if you will
but forgive me-"
"Forgive YOU Don't speak Of
that again. You are homeless no
longer, Katie. l know what love
is at least. You are in my house
now, and you shall never 60 out Of
it except as my wife"
"No, John, not
"Yes, don't object. l know it
don't sound well, but l don't care
for that. A preacher lives close
Won't yOn consentY'
"But-n
"Please don't refuse, Katie"
"Well, l guess"
Just then William came in
Steele nearly ran over him. "HaDg
the papersw he said, as William
offered them to him.
"Here, William" he said, as he
came down stairs putting on his
overcOat, "fix the front room and
light fire. Don't you hear, you
idiot? Don't stand looking, move
abont.n
William did not know what was
the matter. He had just got the
FIRE lighted when Steele came
stumbling in with the preacher
Arkansas Trdceler.
] affirm, says Judge Waldo
Brown, in the Boston TraUeller,